TACOMA, Wash.–Ronaldo Hardy, known to many in credit unions for his work leading credit unions as well as efforts to expand diversity, is joining CU Strategic Planning.
Hardy is currently CEO of the $104 million Southwest Louisiana FCU. Hardy’s new role at CU Strategic Planning will be as chief diversity and inclusion officer. He will start Aug. 5.
“A purpose-driven CEO, Hardy’s career is guided by a personal mission to change the world by building people who will change the world,” CU Strategic Planning, which has garnered more than$100 million in CDFI grant funding for credit unions resulting in the disbursement of $5 billion in loans to low to moderate income people, communities of color and distressed communities for financial inclusion, the company said.
“CU Strategic Planning is the natural place for me to fully launch a diversity and inclusion consulting practice,” said Hardy. “The fit for helping credit unions lead efforts at financial inclusion and equitable community building at the firm is perfect.”
Plan to Disrupt Search Firm Practices
According to the company, Hardy will lead CU Strategic Planning’s efforts to launch training and certification for diversity and inclusion with Mike Beall, who has initiated high profile efforts connected to increasing the inclusion of LGBTQ credit union staff and members.
Additionally, Hardy will utilize his national industry connections to disrupt the traditional search firm practices to help dynamic, emerging talent find opportunities as CEOs and other C-suite positions, the company said.
“Next-generation credit union leaders don’t always find the chance to take on CEO and other leadership positions, and our search practice intends to help change the way credit unions seek and connect to new and emerging talent” said Hardy.
CU Strategic Planning is the leading consultancy to credit unions engaged in community development. Hardy is joining its five-person ownership team of founder Jamie Strayer, CDFI expert and one of the talents behind Biz Kids, Stacy Augustine, former general counsel and SVP of NWCUA; Sharon Hall, Executive Director of the firm’s non-profit affiliate, National Council for Financial Opportunity, and former CDFI CEO of Express CU; Shirley Senn, nationally recognized field of membership expansion consultant, and former Corporate CU executive and Mike Beall, former league CEO of Maryland/DC and Missouri Leagues and turn-around CEO of the National Cooperative Business Association.
While at Southwest Louisiana FCU, Hardy worked with CU Strategic Planning to win a CDFI grant. The credit union has peer leading 1.28 return on assets, 7% yield on average loans and more than 10% annual loan growth.